Related

Recently, the Federal Drug Administration in the United States cleared the way for ingestible sensors that are the size of a grain of sand to be embedded into an inert pill or pharmaceutical. Once in contact with the digestive fluids of the stomach, these “digital pills” can pass information from inside the user’s body to a patch worn on the skin that can wirelessly transmit key metrics such as heart rate, or whether the patient is taking their medications at the prescribed time and frequency. With the patient’s consent, it is possible for an individual to remotely monitor the condition of a child or aging parent from their smartphone.

This is the kind of future that is coming from biotechnological research. For most people, biotechnology is a term that is not fully understood. In short, it revolves around biological processes, and thus, impacts forestry, agriculture, energy, the environment and fisheries. Even the wine we enjoy with a good meal has been touched by biotechnology. However, it is the connection between biotechnology and health care that is most prominent in people’s lives, which is increasingly changing how our health care system operates.

Biotechnology is causing a transformation that will enhance the relationship between the patient and health care professional, which is the essence of our health care system. Such change can and should ensure sustainability of our system, provided we have the willingness to adapt.

In another example that typifies how biotechnology is changing our health care system, Anne Wojcicki, the wife of Google’s creator, founded 23andMe, a company that analyzes your genetic makeup. For about $300 and a saliva sample, the company will provide insight into your risk for developing a disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease, the probability of transmitting a disease to your children and your response to drug therapies. This is revolutionary in its simplicity, especially when one considers that the human genome was only characterized approximately ten years ago with the aid of a $3.8 billion investment from the U.S. Government in the Human Genome Project. Studies have shown that from this investment, $796 billion in economic activity has resulted in the U.S. Interestingly, it was British Columbia’s own Nobel laureate, Dr. Michael Smith, who foresaw the potential of genomics in the 1980s.

There are many examples that can be cited, but the essential points are:

n Biotechnology and associated technologies are and will continue to have a transformational impact on the way our health care system is delivered, provided we are prepared to enter into a constructive dialogue around its use. These technologies will allow the system to be more proactive as opposed to reactive; more emphasis will be placed on patient engagement; it will stratify populations so that health care providers can “customize” treatment options; and, if deployed appropriately, these technologies will help lessen the cost increases of our health care system, which consumes almost 50 per cent of provincial revenues.

n The delivery of a publicly funded health care system is not at odds with an economic development strategy that focuses on the growth of knowledge-based industries, such as biotechnology. In fact, the relationship is symbiotic if we confront the reality that our current health care system cannot be economically sustained without change, of which, biotechnology will play an increasingly important role.

B.C. can take a leadership position in the transformation of health care delivery, given the foundational elements we have in place to build upon. For example, the province has the largest, longitudinal health-linked database of its type in the world, which is attractive to clinical research organizations. In addition, B.C. has developed several health-related research organizations that are recognized for their expertise and global influence, such as the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, the BC Cancer Agency’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre and the PROOF (Prevention of Organ Failure) Centre.

n Finally, our provincial ecosystem that brings together academia, industry, regulators and patients has not escaped the attention of companies like Merck, a global health care company, which has committed more than $1 billion to strategic partnerships in Vancouver – more than anywhere else in North America.

With this transformation, society’s ability to understand its ramifications must be addressed if we are to realize the potential benefits. Issues around privacy, health disease predispositions, cost and individual versus collective rights must be discussed in an open and constructive manner. Nonetheless, it remains my opinion that change is forthcoming in light of technological advances, patient outcomes will continue to improve, there will be significant economic benefits and B.C. can play a leading national and international role.

Don M. Enns is a 25-year veteran of British Columbia’s biotechnology sector, and is President of Life sciences BC. This week is National Biotechnology Week in Canada.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

In less than a week, Abbotsford recording artists Hedley went from touring Canada with two supporting acts and a popular new album to pariahs ensnared in allegations of sexual misconduct. On Monday, accusations that band members Jacob Hoggard, Dave Rosin, Tommy Mac and Jay Benison had engaged in sexual behaviour with teenage girls surfaced on Twitter […]

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.